Gruden keeping all options open
Raiders typically avoid linebackers early, but need help right away
Al Davis didn’t believe in taking linebackers too high since they were the first ones off the field in nickel and dime defenses.
With NaVorro Bowman potentially not returning as the Raiders’ starting middle linebacker and a pair of top linebackers possibly available at No. 10, Jon Gruden is in prime position to go against his former superior’s belief.
But will he?
“We have to hit some home runs in this draft,” Gruden said Tuesday. “We have to get some players that can come in and help us.”
Plenty of mock drafts have the Raiders taking a linebacker first in 2018, whether it be Georgia’s Roquan Smith or Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds. Currently the Raiders have recent freeagent acquisition Tahir Whitehead and returners Cory James, Nicholas Morrow and Marquel Lee as their top four linebackers. Whitehead seems to be the only surefire starter given the money Oakland is paying him (reportedly for three years, over $6 million per year).
Bowman would start in the middle if he returns — that
wouldn’t necessarily exclude the Raiders from taking a linebacker Thursday night — but his official departure would make a linebacker selection even more significant.
The Raiders took linebacker Rob Fredrickson in the 1994 first round. He was serviceable but nothing special. Oakland took Napoleon Harris in the first round in 2002 and eventually traded him as part of the Randy Moss deal. Then there was the catastrophic Rolando McClain firstround pick in 2010.
Edmunds, 19, will be the first teenager drafted to the NFL since 2007. He’s 6-foot-5, lanky and may not be able to contribute right away. Gruden needs someone who will. Smith, the Dick Butkus Award winner as the best college linebacker last year, seems to be ready.
“I think on the defensive side, there’s a bunch of playmakers that are considered top ten picks that could fit in with them,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said of the Raiders. “Roquan Smith is outstanding. I think Edmunds from Virginia Tech is outstanding.”
So the Raiders can’t go wrong with selecting either, right?
According to one former GM, the choice is obvious if both are on the board at No. 10.
“If (Smith) were there at No. 10 I think it’s automatic,” former Browns GM Phil Savage said. “I think it would take about five seconds to get that card in. He’s a tremendous player. He makes the guys around him better. He’s got range. He defends the run and the pass. Honestly he reminded me a lot of Ray Lewis as I was getting ready for the national championship game. I put the tapes on and thought, ‘Wow, this No. 3 is a really
good player.’”
That thinking would fall in line with Gruden’s desire to grab someone who can contribute immediately. Granted, that player could be Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, Florida State safety Derwin James, Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward, Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea or even Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey.
The Raiders certainly have pressing needs at all those spots, but none may be more pressing than linebacker, especially if Bowman signs elsewhere.
And there’s one linebacker of the pair most seem to be leaning toward.
“Roquan Smith, to me, he’s so easy to love when you look at everything he brings to the table,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel
Jeremiah. “And I think interview-wise and teams doing their background on him, I think that puts him way up there. To me you look at the Bay Area teams, 9 and 10, that makes a lot of sense for him there.
“And you look at Jon Gruden having been around Derrick Brooks, I would think he could see a little bit of Derrick Brooks in a guy like Roquan Smith, so that makes sense there.”
CIVIL SUIT FILED AGAINST CONLEY >> The woman who accused Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley of sexual assault a year ago has filed a lawsuit claiming mental and physical damage, according to a TMZ report.
Conley was never arrested or charged with a crime and in statements denied any wrongdoing. Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie and former coach Jack Del Rio stood behind Conley and said Conley was vindicated after the Cuyahoga county prosecutor’s office returned a “no bill on all possible charges.”
A first-round draft pick out of Ohio State, Conley would be subject to compensatory and punitive damages for “sustained serious physical, psychological, emotional and mental injuries” if the lawsuit were successful.